Stitching machine



Dec; 25, 1945. I w. R. SPILLER ETAL 2,391,488

STITCHING MACHINE Filed April 21, 1943 3 She'et-Sheet 1 a mac 1% ow Dec. 25, 1945. v R. SP|LLER ETAL I STITCHING MACHINE Filed April 21, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 25, 1945 2,39i14ss STITCHING MACHINE William R. Spiller and Robert J. Niederhauser,

Dayton, Ohio, assignors-to Harris-Seybold-Potter Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application April 21, 1943, Serial No. 483,908

15 Claims.

This invention relates to Wirestitching machines and to such machines as disclosed in copending application Serial No. 472,316, filed J anuary 14, 1943, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a wire stitching machine adapted to operate at high speed to form flat, tight-fittin stitches in work material which may be partially fabricated or of such size or shape that it cannot be readily handled on the machine of said copending application.

It is a further object to provide astitching machine of the post type in which the post is movable from a work receiving and discharging position to an operatin position where the force applied during the application of the stitch develops a component acting ina direction tending to retain the post in suchoperative position throughout the entire operation of forming and clinching the stitch.

It is also an object to providea post type stitching machine in which the post is readily and accurately adjustable in all directions to provide for precise cooperative relation thereof with the stitching head and with the stitch being formed in the exact location desired, a predetermined adjustment of the post being accurately maintained during the continued operation of the machine.

It is a further object to provide a stitching machine of the post type in which the post incorporates a power actuated clincher plunger and is mounted for movement from a. forward work receiving and discharging position to a rearward operating position beneath a stitcher head with the actuating connections for the plungerbeing maintained throughout such movement.

It is a still further object to provide apost type stitcher in which the stitch may be located close to the forward face of the post with a minimum of clearance being necessary and in which the clincher mechanism is completely exposed. and readily accessible for repair, replacement and adjustment.

Other objects andadvantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawin Fig. '1 is a view. in perspective of a stitching machineincorporating the present invention;

Fig. 2 is abroken sectional view through the base :of the machine and showing the construction for pivotally supporting the post;

Fig. 3 is a broken view in front elevation with parts of the structure being broken away to show the construction of the pivotal support for the post;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale through the upper end of the post showing the construction for adjusting the height of the post and of the plunger, and the releasable mechanism for detachably securing the clincher plunger: in place;

Fig. 5 is a partial front elevational view of the upper end of the post;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of Fig. 5; and.

Fig; 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 'l-l ofFig.4. v

Referring to the drawings which disclose a pre-. ferred embodiment of the invention, the machine is shown as having a main frame including a base portion w, an upwardly projecting pedestal! i, and an overhanging head 12. The drive motor H is mounted in the rear portion of the head and has a suitable driving connection to the main shaft 15. Shaft 15 extends through the-head to the front part'thereof where the mechanism for forming and driving the stitches is located, the position thereof being indicated by reference numeral 16. A coil of wire His mounted in a convenient location on the head and the wire feeds into the stitch forming mechanism .in the usual way where it is formed, into an inverted U-shaped stitch, the two legs of the stitch being driven downwardly into and through the work materialreceived beneath the head.

For certain types of work, particularly where it is desired to apply stitches to the work material which is either partly or wholly fabricated or formed into shape andhence not in'flat or sheet form where it can be handled by a stitch: ing machine incorporating a fixed ..arm,- it becomes desirable to utilize a machine incorporating'apost, over which thework material can be received. Preferably the post is mounted for adjustable movement so that it can be with: drawn to a forward position clear of the stitcher head forv receiving anddischarging the work material, and returned to a rearward or operative position where the posttoge'ther with the work supported thereon are moved into position directly beneath. the. stitching head. Such movee ment'is conveniently effected by the pivoting of the post so that it swings forward to an inclined Position Where the work can be telescoped or otherwise conveniently positioned over the upper endthereof, the post being then returned with a swinging movement to its upright position where the Work is supported-in proper position beneath the head, for receiving the stitch.

Toprovide' for mounting the post for on the line 5- -6 justing movement, the base to of the machine is formed at its forward end with an integral bracket portion Zilwith a shaft consisting of a heavy rod- 22 being -passed through the spaced arms of the bracket. f The shaft is suitably pinned as shown at 23 to the arms of the bracket 'to '16-'-' tain the same in fixed relation therein. The; shaft extends beyond the arms of the bracket prodescribed, a firm and relatively quite rigid supporting structure is provided. The yoke. 26 is formed with laterally projecting extensions 28 c which are internally bored to provide beari gs adapted to be received over the shaft ends 24, to pivotally support the yoke thereon As will be apparent from the drawings, the two bearings thus provided for the yoke are each spaced 9. substantial distance laterally of the central vertical axis of the-post, thereby providing a firm and rigid support for the post. capable of preventing lateral shifting and giving adequate support to the post in the course of the operation'of the machine.

In order to provide for lateral adjustment of the yoke, and correspondingly of the post, the bearing members 28 are provided with end plates 30 secured to the respective bearin s by means of a series of bolts 3|, making it readily possible to remove the end plates for the purpose of assembling the machine. Each plate is likewise provided with a central bore w ich is tapped to receive an adjusting stud 32. the position of which is fixed by a lock nut 33. the stud extending inwardly to bear against a thrust bearing in the form of a ball 34 received within a ta ered recess 35 formed centrallyof the end of the shaft 24. i

It will thus be clear that with similar bearing adiustment provided at either end of the yoke. the lateral position of the yoke with res ect to the shaft and hence the base of the machinemay be easily adjusted. and once havin been adjusted, such adjustment will be maintained by the securing of the respective studs 32 by means of the lock nuts33. In t is way the lateral positioning of the post assembly may be accurately determined, so that the mechanism provided at the upper end of the post will be in accurate alinement with the stitchinghead, and having been once established, will be accurately maintained in use.

Yoke member 26 is additionally formed with a rearwardly extending part 40, preferably formed integrally therewith. This rearward extension has relatively large mass, and the mass distribution is such that the center of gravity of the entire post assembly lies rearwardly of the pivot axis, in all operative positions of the post. As a result therefore, there is a normal tendency acting in the direction to move the post from its forward work receiving and discharging position rearwardly to its upright operative position, the post remaining in such upright position unless drawn forwardly by manual or some other means.

The rearward end of the extension 40 is provided with an ad ustable bolt 42 which is received within a boss 43 formed immediately adjacent the end of the extension, the bolt being adapted to project through the boss into position where its head comes in contact with the face 44 of the base of the machine. Suitable locking means are provided for retaining the stud in desired position of adjustment, and it will thus be clear that the position of the stud will determine and limit the return movement of the post to its upright position. Furthermore, since the stud 42 is spaced a substantial distance away from the axis about which the pivotal or swinging movement takes place, it provides a highly accurate control for such position of the post, enabling the machine to be set with great precision to bring the fore and aft position of the post into the desired accurate alinement with the stitching head.

Again, having once been determined and ad- .,justed,

such accurate setting is maintained throughout the normal operation of the machine, the actual force placed upon the adjusting stud during operation being low because of the relatively long moment arm of the lever so provided.

Means are likewise preferably provided for locking the post against forward swinging movement, where it is desired to prevent such motion.

7 and a flat as shown, so that when the handle is rotated rearwardly to bring the fiat opposite the head of bolt 52, swinging movement of the post assembly is permitted. However when the handle is moved forwardly so that the rise of the cam is brought opposite the head of the bolt, which is the position shown in Fig. 2, swinging movement of the post is prevented, and it is locked in its upright or operative position.

The post is shown generally at 60, comprising a generally cylindrical tubular'element suitably secured to yoke 26 by means of a portion 6| of reduced diameter extending into an aperture in yoke 25 and arranged to project upwardly therefrom. As shown in Fig. 2, the center line 62 of the post, in the upright position thereof, is substantially parallel to but rearwardly displaced from the center line of the pivot axis about which the assembly pivots. Thus the vertical axis through shaft 22 is forwardly offset from the vertical axis of the post, thereby developing a component of the force applied in the formation of the stitch which acts in a clockwise direction about the shaft 22 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 such as to tend to retain the assembly in its upright position. Thus despite the development of substantial forces as a result of the application of the stitch to the work and the clinching thereof, there is no tendency for the post to move out of its predetermined upright operative position, but the force developed acts in a direction to retain the same in such position, the retaining force being a component of the applied force and thus increasing in relation thereto. A firm and highly satisfactory support is thus provided with the assurance that there will be no forward travel of the post during the application of the stitch thereto, nor until such operation is completed and the pressure thereof is released making it then possible to move the post assembly forwardly to discharge the work therefrom.

The post incorporates a power operated clincher mechanism for clinching the legs of the stitch. For this purpose the rod 55 is provided which is suitably journaled within the tubular post 60, and arranged to be operated vertically relative thereto. It is likewise desired to provide a driving connection for the actuation of rod 65 which will be maintained throughout the swinging and adjusting movements of the post assembly so that no disconnection is required when the post is swung forwardly to receive the work, the drive remaining operative at; all times and: in candietion to be actuated: whenerer the post.- occupies. its upright operative positionl The; drive for the rod 6.5 commusasa. smtable cam on the driven aha-itl.5 which; actnates a verticel pushrod 61: extendingthrough pedestal portion it or. the machine, and rankin cmmew tion at; thev lower end. thereof: with a bell crank 68 pivotally' supported at: 68: in. the; base: of the machinel. rod to sccured. to opposite: am in or the bell; crank carries .a. threaded part It on which there. are adjustably positioned the: loclr nuts 11 which en age onev end or a. spring 13,, the; other" end of which. bears; against, a washer IA suitably fixed: to the firame tonmvide on abuih ment. This provides a force; for restoring the mo, tion followin the power actuation: thereof, and; tending to keep the push rod 6.1 normally in eneasement with the. adjustable limit stop 15. may likewise be provided in, the, base- Ior limiting the travel or the bell crank: and: hence of the pull rod; 1%..

At its forward end... the rod to has cmmection with an additional bell crank; lever 'mwhiclr is rotatably mounted on a shaft 19 which maroonvenientlv be; the. same shaft 55 which supports thelocking mechanism One end: of hell I8 is formed with an elon ated slot: on which is encaged by a pin 81 carried. at the lower end; of. push rod 65 slotted construction is utilized to provide. for maintaining thedriving connection between the. push. rod and. the bell crank during the. swinging movement of the post; from onepo,

- 'sition to. another and to obtain a. straight; line mo! tion. for rod 65;

It will; be. understood that upon engagement of the. motor with, the. clutch in response. to; being, tripped by' the: usual control; mechanism, the main drive. shaft:v ii is: caused to. rotate which effects thesimultaneous. formation of the. stitch by'the mechanism in the; stitcherhead, and cor related therewith, the. actuationv or the. vertical puslm. rod 61', the lower pull. rod HI, and through that the upwardly extending push rod 651 to se.- cure coordinated operation of; the. clincher plunger' in timed relation with. the formation of the stitch.v

In order to.- provide adjustment: in the. lerelat which the. work is: supported, as determined by the.- top. of the post, the upper end of the post is so. made as to be adjustable in height. For this purpose. theupper end of post Ell is threaded as shown at 85, and receives an adjusting not 8% thereon which bears; against. an upper post sec.- tion 81' which is formed. with a lower guiding and: supporting section 88- extending: downwardly internally with respect. to the sections 60, to guide. and support: the. upper end: portion thereon. It

will be clear that by shifting the position of the nut 86, the upper level of the post section: QT may be predetermined and accurately adjusted as may be desired.

It is also desirable to. provide for corresponding or independent adjustmentof' the. level. of the operating" plunger, to in this. way efl'eci; adjust ment of the force. uu'thwhi'ch' the legs of" the stitch are clinched. For this purpose the upper end of push rod 65 is threaded internally to receive a. stud 90, a locknut 9| being'received in position to lock the stud inn predetermined position relative to the push rod, to thereby provide for raising or lowering the same tothe ex: tent; desired. i

The upper post sectional is formed to receive the die blocks 93 which are removably there-mien means: of bolts; 9A,. each block: bein numbed from below/ by a. thrust block: 35; carried by" he The construction and. op ration oi these dies and or the. clincher Planner in. relation to the: fiormationi; application. and? clinching: oi. the: stitch. is preferably similar to that described in applicants?- conendula application. Serial No. 472,316. Cooperating with such die blooksc'is; a plunger shown at I180: working against a. back plate 8.8%, this; plunger being: adapted to be driven. upwardly by the actuation of push rod ii. to; engage the: less of. the stitch,v and to flatten the same: against the lower side of the. work: to produce a1 strong flat clincln I m As a result of; the heavy wear to; which. the. die

blocks and the clincher plunger are subjected, it is; desired to: make. it possible to removeand replace these parts readily. As: shown the. die. blocks may be, directly removed from; the; front,

wince; or the, postuporr withdrawal. of bolts; 94'. In

order to provide for similar removal of thec1inchor. plunger ma. it is arranged to besupported by a. circular block: till secured to the upper end of, the stud 90 by means of bolt 12.. The plunger- Hllt is formedwith a plurality oiv symmetrically spacedapertures. m3, and for the. purpose of retracting the plunger following an upward clinch-- i-ng stroke thereon an L-sh-aped: bracket: I04 is. provided. having; a pin. I05, which extends intothe lower aperture m3. In. the position shown in. 4,. the p n is engaged: in the aperture for normaloper tion. It is normally'retained in this relation by meansof a locking bar I01 which is pivotal-11v supported. for rotation about axis I08 and held in. position against; the face of the brack.- 'et: by a. fixed; wall portion. 09., The end. of the locking; bar may; be, recessed to provide a seat, for a ball detent I Hi. yieldably' urged to locking position hr spring H-l. When the locking, bar is lifted? upwardly, the bracket I04 may be, moved forwardly sufllciently' to; disenga e. its, pin I05 from aperture 10%,, whereupon the, plunger i011 is free. and may be. removed upwardly. The plunger can thus either. be inverted and. reinserted, or another plunger substituted, th reverse operation than providing for detachably securing: the. replaced plunger; in. proper operative position. Clearance is provided in the base, of bracket: HM providing for the forward movement W thereol as described without removing the same fimm beneath the; shoulder; H2 of block IOI, the.

7 parts thus not being separated for, a. routine change in. the plun r- 11 desired an air passage. lli'may be provided for directing a jet of air directly onto the stitch, preferablytoward the lower surface of the work where: the legs project through. to facilitate re,- moval of the. chips as they are formed, such jet being controlled in. accordance. with; the operatinc cycle- 0)? the. machine to occur at the proper time.

It thus. be. apparent, from the above description that: the present, invention provides a simple and. yet; highly satisfactory post type machine which. incorporates a power'actuated' clincher plunger and in which the parts are so constructed that the drive for the clincher plimgcr is maintained throughout all the normalmovenrientsv of the post. The. construction, is such that the: forces of reaction transmitted to. the post develop a. component in a. direction tending tokeep the post in its proper operative posi tion, effectively preventing any: tendency of the post to shift in position during the course of the formation of the stitch. Further, the position of the post and thus of the exactlocation at which the stitch is formed, may be accurately adjusted and predetermined to accurately fix that position in all directions with respect to the stitcher head, thus establishing an accurate relationship and one which is maintained throughout the normal operating use of the machine.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the inven-' tion, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which, is defined in the appended claims.

What'is claimed is:

1. 'In a stitching machine of the character described the combination of a'base, a stitcher head supported from said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work beneath said head during the application of the stitch thereto, a clincher plunger operably mounted in said post for clinching movement relative thereto, and means for pivotally supporting said post and said clincher plunger for swinging movement from a forward inoperative position to a rearward operative position directly beneath said head, the pivot axis of said supporting means being displaced with respect to the center line of said post/and said clincher plunger providing a reaction force during the application of the stitch tending to retain the post in its said operative position.

2. In a stitching machine of the character described the combination of a base, a stitcher head supported from said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work during the application of the stitch thereto under the force applied by said stitcher head, a clincher plunger operably mounted in said post for clinching movement relative thereto, and means carried by said base for supporting said post and said clincher plunger for forwardpivotal movement to an inoperative work receiving and discharging position and rearward movement to an operative position directly beneath and in alinement with the force applied by said stitcher head, the pivot axis of said supporting means being forwardly oiiset from the line of application of said force to provide for developing a force in operation tending to retain the post in its said operative position.

3. In a stitching machine of the character described the combination of a base, a stitcher head supported in predetermined fixed relation above said base, a post cooperating with said head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, a plunger carried by said post and movable upwardly with respect thereto to effect the clinching of the stitch, means on said base for supporting said post for movement from a forward work receiving 7 and discharging position to a rearward operative position beneath said head, and means carried by said base for maintaining a driving connection with said plunger throughout said movement of said post.

4. In a stitching machin of the character described the combination of a base, a stitcher head supported in predetermined fixed relation above said base, a post cooperating with said head-to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitchthereto, a plunger carried by said post and movable upwardly with respect thereto to eiTect the clinching of the stitch,

means on said basefor' supporting said post for movementfrom a forward work receiving and discharging position to 'a'rearward operative posi-' tion beneath said head, means carried by said base for maintaining a driving connection .with said plunger throughout saidmov'ement of said post, and means carried by said base for locking said post to prevent said movement thereof.

' 5. In a stitching machine of the character described the combination of a base, a stitcher head supported in predetermined fixed relation above said base, a post cooperating with said head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, a plunger carried by said post and movable upwardly with respect thereto to effect the clinching of the stitch, means for pivotally supporting said post for swinging movement from a forward inclined work receiving and discharging position to an upright operative position beneath said head, means carried by said base for maintaining a driving connection with said plunger throughout said swinging movement of said post, and means for adjust'ably determining the limits of said swinging movement.

6. In a stitching machine of the character describedthe combination of a base, a stitcher head supported in predetermined fixed relation above said base, a post cooperating with said head to receive and support the workmaterial during the application of the stitch thereto, a plunger car ried'byfsaid post and movable upwardly with for application of the force to the post when'in upright position in a direction tending to'retain the post in said position," means on said base for efiecting the driving of said plunger, and

means for interconnecting said driving means with said plunger providing a maintained driving connection throughout the swinging movement of the post.

l '7. In a stitching machine of the character described the combination of a base, a stitcher head supported from said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work during the application of the stitch thereto, means for pivotally supporting said postabout an axis located forwardly of the center line thereof for swinging movement from a forward inoperative position to a rearward operative position directly beneath said head, a clincher plunger operablymounted in said post for clinching movement relative thereto, said post having a 7 8. A stitching machine of the character described comprising a base, a "stitcher'head supported in fixed relation with respect tos'aid base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, said post being provided with a yoke having" spaced arms adjacent the lower end thereof. a bearing support on said base located inwardly ofsaid arms,

scribed comprising a base, a stitcher head supported in fixed relation with respect to said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, a plunger carried by said post and movable upwardly relaported in fixed relation to said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, a frame having arms extending laterally therefrom for supporting said post upon said base, a bearing support on said base inwardly between said arms, spaced bearing means carried in said laterally extending arms and said bearing support for pivotally supporting said frame and said post from said base, means for shifting the position of said frame with respect to said bearings to effect accurate lateral adjustment of said post with respect to said head, said frame also having a rearwardly extending part projecting above said base to a position remote from the axis of said bearing means, and additional means carried by said tive thereto to effect the clinching of said stitch,

power actuated means for causing said upward movement of said plunger, said post being provided with a yoke having spaced arms adjacent the lower end thereof, a bearing support on said base inwardly of said arms, spaced bearing means carried in said bearing support and said arms for pivotally supporting said post from said base at spaced points laterally outwardly of said bearing support, and means for accurately adjusting the position of said post laterally with respect to said bearings to provide for predetermining the lateral position of th upper end of said post with respect to said head.

10. A stitching machine of the character described comprising a base, a stitcher head supported in fixed relation with respect to said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, said post being provided with laterally extending portions adjacent the lower end thereof, spaced bearing means carried in said extending portions for pivotally supporting said post from said base, means for accurately adjusting the position of said post laterally with respect to said bearings to provide for predetermining the lateral position of the upper end of said post with'respect to said head, a plunger carried by said post and movable upwardly relative thereto to effect the clinching of said stitch, means on said base for driving said plunger, and means for ainterconnecting said drive means and said plunger providing a maintained driving connection throughout the pivotal and adjusting movements of said post.

11. A stitching machin of the character described comprising a base, a stitcher head supported in fixed relation to said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, a frame having arms extending laterally therefrom for supporting said post upon said base, a bearing support on said base inwardly between said arms, spaced bearing means carried in said laterally extending arms and said bearing support for pivotally supporting said frame and said post from said base,

said frame also having a rearwardly extending part projecting above said base to a, position remote from the axis of said bearing means, and adjustable means carried in said rearwardiy extending part and cooperating with said base to accurately limit the pivotal movement of said p st.

12. A stitching machine of the character described comprising a base, a stitcher head sup.-

rearward part to accurately limit the pivotal movement of said post into operative position.

13. A stitching machine of the character described comprising a base, a stitcher head supported in fixed relation to said base, a post coop crating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of th stitch thereto, means on said base for supporting said post providing for movement from a forward work receiving and discharging position to a rearward operative position directly beneath said head, a plunger movable upwardly in said post for effecting the clinching of the stitch, means for adjusting the vertical height of the top of said post, and additional means for adjusting the vertical relation of said plunger thereto to provide application of a predetermined clinching pressure to the stitch.

14. A stitching machine of the character described comprising a. base, a stitcher head sup-,- ported in fixed relation to said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material .during the application of the stitch thereto, means on said base for supporting said post providing for movement from a forward work receiving and discharging position to a rearward operative position directly beneath said head, a clincher plunger movable upwardly in said post for effecting the clinching of the stitch, a push rod for supporting and actuating said plunger adjacent the upper end of said post, means for detachably receiving said clincher plunger on said push rod, and additional means for adjusting the vertical relation of said plunger with respect to saidpush rod to provide application of a predetermined clinching pressure to the stitch.

15. A stitching machine of the character described comprising a base, a stitcher head supported in fixed relation to said base, a post cooperating with said stitcher head to receive and support the work material during the application of the stitch thereto, means on said base for supporting said post providing for movement from a forward work receiving and discharging position to a rearward operative position directly beneath said head, a clincher plunger movable upwardly in said post for effecting the clinching of the stitch, a push rod for supporting and actuating said plunger adjacent the upper end of said post, means for detachably receiving said clincher plunger in operative position on said push rod, and means for releasing said plunger from said receiving means providing for direct upward withdrawal and removal-of said plunger.

WILLIAM R. SPIILER. ROBERT J. NIEDERHAUSER. 

